Disclaimer: Still don't own it

Tony stared at her in shock. He wasn't expecting her to jump to that conclusion. And he was a little shocked that someone had the gall to hit one of the team in front of Gibbs. "Ziva, that wasn't what I was thinking-"

"Whatever, Tony. You are right. I can't take care of myself, I think I proved that today."

"That's bull and you know it," he snapped.

"Oh, really, then why did I let my father, my FATHER hit me in full view of Gibbs and not do anything to stop him?" she demanded.

"You were in shock, I mean, its not every day that a father gives his child a nosebleed-" he trailed off when he saw anger leave her face, and be replaced by shame. "Or maybe it was everyday?" he asked, careful to keep the pity out of his tone and his face.

"Used to be, and I never stopped him. I welcomed it, as long as it meant that he left Tali alone." She stood and walked over to the window.

"Ziva," Tony called. When she didn't respond, he raised his voice. "Ziva, look at me!" She spun and stared at him. He stood and walked over to her, putting his hands on her shoulders. "I know that you don't get this upset unless something is seriously bothering you. What's wrong?"

She bit her lip. "I am embarrassed," she confessed.

"Why?" he asked, keeping eye contact.

"Because, my father always said that hitting someone in the face is as demeaning as kicking a dog. So, for Gibbs to see that, I-" she trailed off, and turned her head so that he couldn't see her eyes shining with tears.

Tony swallowed. "What did Gibbs do?" he asked, steering her back to the couch, and putting room between them.

"I yelled at Eli, he backhanded me, and Gibbs grabbed him, threw him into the wall and pressed a knife into his throat, telling him to leave and never come back."

Tony nodded. "Sounds like Gibbs," he said with a smile. "So, you're worried that Gibbs'll think less of you?"

She just nodded. "Him, and you," she admitted.

"I'm not going to think any less of you, Ziva. Look," he sighed. "I understand. My father used to knock me around a bit after my mom died, and after each of his divorces. It sucks, and it makes you feel like you're a kid again."

"So, you understand, but will Gibbs?" she demanded.

"A few years before you came here, we were called into a child abuse case. The victim was a teenager, but it had been going on for years. Gibbs nearly tore the guy apart. Child abusers are one kind of perp that rubs him raw. He's not going to side with Eli, Ziva. He's got your back, and so do I." When she didn't look convinced, he sighed. "Look, if you're still worried, just go and talk to him…AFTER you eat," he said with a smile, handing her the plate.

She forced a laugh. She still was worried, but was relieved that Tony understood. Or at least, cared enough to say he did. The two ate in silence, then Tony put on another movie while Ziva cleaned her guns. After a while, he decided to join her, as he hadn't cleaned his in a while. They didn't speak, until Ziva's curiosity got the better of her.

"You said your father 'knocked you around'?" she asked quietly.

Tony's hands froze mid stroke, then he continued with a bit more force. "Yeah. He took Mom's death pretty hard and was left with a little kid. I rarely saw him, since I was in boarding schools, and most of the time things were alright between us. But there were times, usually after another one of his divorces, when he would have no other outlet."

Ziva nodded, her gaze on the gun in her hands. She had figured that it would be something like that. "So, I shall ask a question you once asked me: First time you realized Daddy wasn't perfect?"

Tony stared at her and laughed. "Wow, I hadn't thought about that day in the container in a while. We were stuck there for what, hours? Well, to answer the question, I was six. I caught my dad having an affair. But my mom was sick, and he told me that telling her would make her worse, so I didn't." He paused. He was never sure if he had done the right thing. "So, Ziva, how about you? First time he wasn't perfect?"

Ziva's hands also froze on her gun as she remembered that day. "I was ten. My father had hit Ari and I pretty regularly, and even though it bothered me, I never questioned it. He claimed it was to help us become better Mossad officers. But then," she chocked slightly, then cleared her throat. "He hit Tali. She didn't remember it, she was too young. But I walked in right after, and I saw her crying, and I flew into a rage and attacked my father. I couldn't sit for a week after he was done. And from then on, I took the punishment for Tali, somewhat selfishly, since I felt I could handle the pain better than seeing her in pain, you know?" she finished.

Tony nodded. He could easily see a young Ziva, standing up for her baby sister. He set his gun down and reached over, taking hold of one of hers. "You're a good person, Ziva. Don't let Eli make you believe otherwise."

She smiled at him, squeezing his hand in thanks. She felt much better than she had earlier, but she still needed to talk to Gibbs, make sure things were okay with the two of them. "Thank you, Tony. This has helped. But we both have work tomorrow, so would you mind taking me to get my car?"

"Sure thing," he said, grabbing his keys. They got to the NCIS parking lot, and she paused before getting out.

"Tony, I do not get emotional often, but I appreciate what you did for me tonight. I am glad we are partners, and friends."

He grinned. "Me, too, Zi. I'll see you in the morning?"

She nodded and got into her car, once again grateful for her team.

A/N: Ick Ick Ick! Okay, so my muse decided to take a vacation, and I can't stand this chapter, but I wanted to get it out there for you all. Please don't hate me for the suckiness, I'll make the next one better, I promise.